Hailee Grace celebrates one year in Larimer Square. Photo by Francie Swidler, The Denver Post

Hailee Grace boutique in Larimer Square is the kind of store you spend ten minutes in, leave with precisely the kind of outfit you’ve been looking for, and still have enough in your wallet to add a glass of wine to your lunch order.

Thursday night, former CU students turned shop owners Hailee Satterfield and Grace Evans celebrated the one-year anniversary of that 600-square-foot boutique with spirits (poured by good looking guys), sliders (provided by TAG), and lots and lots of shopping.

The space is filled with the cool kinds of pieces you always want to borrow from a friend’s closet: casual and structured dresses, classic and colored denim, and more special versions of your basic blouses, sweaters, shorts, leggings and jewelry, from brands like Everyly, Collective Concepts and Honey Punch to name a few (which all retail for under $65).

Satterfield says the shop is ideal for “the modern working girl,” the one who wants to be stylish in well-made clothes, but without breaking the bank.

She brought me up to speed on a couple summer staple trends that Hailee Grace will have plenty of this season:

Maxi dresses and skirts – lightweight, comfortable, and will take you from day to night. Wear sandals with them when it’s sunny out, and add a belt and wedges at night.

Cut-off jean shorts and light summer sweaters – you can never go wrong with a great pair of frayed jean shorts, plain or patterned.

Pair them with an oversized lightweight sweater up until the summer months, and don’t be afraid to pay your respects to the 1990s and tie those long sleeves around your hips or waist come July.

Lightweight tanks with a little pizzazz – basic-cut blouses with geometric shapes, patterns, bright colors, cut-outs and exposed zippers all help to accessorize to your outfit and make more of a statement.

Keep those tops at the forefront of your closet for fall; just add a blazer.

Maybe you’ve already got a long dress and a couple old summer shirts in your closet, but there’s no harm in just trying on that $34 top at Hailee Grace.

If you’re lucky, one of the shop owners will be in to help you pick one out, or just make you laugh.

“I majored in integrated physiology. I thought I was going to be an OB/GYN,” Satterfield says, “Grace was going to go to law school. And here we are.”

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A model circles the runway at the 28th annual MAX Fashion Show was held at the Mile High Station in Denver on Friday, November 8, 2013. The event is a fund raiser for research at Children’s Hospital Colorado. (Photo By Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post)

The first Max fashion show I remember attending was held in the middle of Larimer Street on an evening about 30 years ago. Store owner Max Martinez got the city to block off the street, they put up a runway and models sashayed down the center after a big crowd gathered to watch. I don’t remember the clothes or if a particular designed was featured, just that it was a big, entertaining spectacle.

Few folks have the audacity to shut down a city street and put on a parade, but Max has always been one. Part of it comes from his unfailing love of fashion and dressing his customers in the latest and greatest. (He’s had so many of those women as clients for years that he’s now dressing their daughters, too.)

Then there’s his philanthropic side — the part of him that just wants to help. In the past, his show proceeds went to such women’s causes as The Gathering Place, but for the past couple of years Children’s Hospital has been his focus.

Justice Kwasi Kwarteng might be the most polite person to ever work in the fashion business. When Saturday night’s Colorado Fashion Week runway showcase at the Oxford Hotel was running late, he came out to apologize for the delay. The lights setup wasn’t right and required some adjusting, he said, asking for patience.

Robbi Sayuri walks the runway with one of her models. (Suzanne S. Brown, The Denver Post)

The audience obliged, talking and sipping cocktails while they waited. A little more than an hour past the designated start time, and after further introductions by Kwarteng and emcee Lauren Whitney of News 4, models took to the ballroom floor.

What made Saturday’s show worth waiting for is that in addition to having good manners, Kwarteng has an eye for finding and promoting new fashion designers. Several such talents were showcased during Colorado Fashion Week.

We’re sure there’s other news happening this week, but if it doesn’t have to do with the royal baby, we’re afraid we probably missed it. Now that the Prince of Cambridge, third heir to the British throne, finally has been welcomed into the world, we can’t stop thinking about all the cute baby gifts William and Kate undoubtedly are receiving by the palace-load. Shopping for baby showers, first birthday parties or your own kids? Here are deals of the week worthy of a future king or queen, but without the monarch pricetag. Charming!

Nest sidewalk sale: It’s that time of year on Larimer Square! The annual sidewalk sale is July 26-28, where you’ll find deals at kids’ clothing mecca Nest. Bonus: free Western slope peaches while supplies last. If you’d rather hit the Cherry Creek location, you’ll find 50 percent off items in the store’s blue dot sale through July 28.

Baby Jordans? Of course! (Nike)

Nike clearance: Baby’s first Nikes are just a must. Find savings on adorable infant Air Jordans and more in the Nike clearance section.

Bambino bargains: We’re slightly obsessed with the Bambino hoodies sold by Boulder’s Bundle. And now that they’re on sale for just $15 a pop? Christmas in July!

Bambino hoodies are marked down to just $15 at Bundle.com.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: It’s the retailer’s big annual blowout and you can score seriously cute kids clothes for a great discount through Aug 5. We’re loving the baby North Face coats, marked down nearly $20.

OshKosh B’Gosh event: Whether you need to pick up a few more summer staples or are ready to start shopping for back-to-school season, you’ll find 40 percent off everything at OshKosh B’Gosh’s huge sale.

Disney Store sale: Think prince or princess and it’s hard not to picture a Disney character. Treat your own little royal to discounted clothes and accessories featuring their favorite animated friends – from Mickey and Minnie to Rapunzel and Sulley.

Lesley Kennedy writes for the Online Shopping Report at ShopAtHome.com. Email her at LKennedy@ShopAtHome.com.

Who knows if the excitement of the night had anything to do with it — Manning was everything fans hoped he would be, and the home team scored its first win of the season — but it appears that folks weren’t all that hungry. A whole bunch of food was left over.

None of it went to waste, though, thanks to a Denver nonprofit called We Don’t Waste. Founded and directed by Arlan Preblud, We Don’t Waste collects unused, leftover food from caterers, events, restaurants and venues and delivers it via a single van to Denver’s hungry.

The Nathan Yip Foundation Associate Board, in cooperation with Flobots.org, is staging the first Back to School Band Night, starring Bop Skizzum, on Friday at Stoney’s Bar and Grill, 1111 Lincoln St., Denver. It starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40 for VIP admittance, $20 for general admission and $10 for designated drivers. They can be purchased online.

The Nathan Yip Foundation Associate Board was formed last year by a group of former Kent Denver classmates of Nathan Yip, who lost his life in an automobile accident when he was 19. His parents, Linda and Jimmy Yip, started the foundation in 2002 and since that time, it has raised the money to build seven schools and support two orphanages in China. It also provides year-round support for an orphanage dormitory in Mexico, has donated funds to Colorado Heritage Camps, Colorado UpLIFT’s My Book Foundation, the Asian Pacific Development Center, Escuela Guadalupe and has done work in Africa.

Money raised from the Back to School Band Night will be used to support vulnerable youth and educational projects in Colorado. “We felt it was important to get involved in this foundation named for our good friend Nathan Yip,” says the associate board’s chairman, Keith Bell.

“It’s been 10 years since Nate died, and his spirit and soul have remained with all of us and we want to help make a difference in our community in Nathan’s honor.” Bell was instrumental in starting the associate board with another of Nate’s friends, Alan Frosh, the chair-elect.

“We want this to become a Denver tradition,” Frosh says. “A back-to-school tribute for our friend Nate that will benefit schools and education in Colorado.”

Sept. 13

* The 67 teenagers who will be debutantes and Young Men of Distinction at the 2013 Le Bal de Ballet will be introduced at a reception held at Cherry Hills Country Club. Le Bal de Ballet, put on by Denver Ballet Guild as a benefit for nonprofit dance organizations in the metro Denver area, will be held on June 8. Debbie Raeder is the chairwoman.

* Denver chapter of The Links, Inc. is hosting a theater night fundraiser at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Members and their guests will gather at 6:30 p.m. for a reception and dress rehearsal of August Wilson’s “Fences.” President Wanda Pate Jones says that the money raised will go to the chapter’s Stepping Into The Future program at Hallett Fundamental Academy, which is part of the Denver Public Schools. For tickets, visit linksdenver.org

* Plans for the 2012 Pink Tie Affair, benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, will be announced at a reception held at Don and Arlene Johnson’s home in Cherry Hills Village. The gala chaired by Gayle Novak and Arlene Johnson will be Oct. 27 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown.

Sept. 14

The Brooklyn-based band Pistolera makes its Denver debut at Rojo Cancion, a reception, concert and after-party benefiting Museo de las Americas. Festivities are at Su Teatro, 721 Santa Fe Drive, and begin with cocktails and a silent auction at 5 p.m. The concert is at 7:30 and the after-party with tequila pistol shooters and deejay music begins at 9:30. Denver’s first lady, Mary Louise Lee, is the honorary chairman. Tickets are $25 in advance, with an additional fee for those attending the after-party. Call 303-571-4401.

Sept. 16

The Gold Hill Gold Rush runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. along historic Gold Hill’s Main Street. There will be bake and rummage sales and an arts and crafts fair. For additional information, visit goldhilltown.com

Sept. 19

Fill A Plate for Hunger is a small plates and passed appetizers party that benefits We Don’t Waste. It begins at 6:30 p.m. at Hudson Gardens and is presented by Larimer Square and the Colorado Caterer’s Association, according to We Don’t Waste founder and director Arlan Preblud. Learn more about it by visiting larimersquare.com/news/fillaplate/ or buy a ticket through blacktie-colorado.com/rsvp

* Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis is the speaker for a luncheon benefiting the Women’s Foundation of Colorado. It begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Colorado Convention Center. Tickets can be purchased online.

* Denver Children’s Home marks its 136th year by hosting a dinner at the Sherman Street Event Center. Put Your Hats On To Take Your Hats Off for Denver Children’s Home is the theme for the $150-a-ticket affair that begins at 6 p.m. Call Lindsay Leuthold, 720-881-3366.

Sept. 23

The third annual Chelsea’s Epilepsy Walk to promote Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) takes place in Littleton’s Clement Park. Learn more about this benefit by visiting the Chelsea Hutchison Foundation website.

Sept. 24

It’s a busy day for Cancer League of Colorado. A fundraising golf tournament, presented by Liberty Mutual, begins at 10 a.m. at Glenmoor Country Club; a membership luncheon, where research grants will be announced, is at 11:30 a.m. at Colorado Golf Club in Parker. Tournament reservations, $275 per player, can be made with John Snow, 303-534-4317; lunch reservations can be made online.

Stores all over the metro area are planning runway shows, parties and special events Thursday for Fashion’s Night Out. The global fashion and shopping initiative started in New York several years ago but this is the first time Colorado stores are fully embracing it. Most events are free; some are benefits for good causes. Put on your LBD and join the fun — here are some events to check out:

Goldyn will have goodie bags for the first 100 guests, a Piazza handbag preview (and a six-bag giveaway) and is offering discounts of 20 percent on all merchandise for the evening. Candy from Sugarlicious, a champagne reception, free styling and hair trend trips from Scarlet, and entertainment from DJ Tyler Snow are also part of the evening’s activities from 6-9 p.m. Goldyn, 2040 West 30th Ave.; shopgoldyn.com

Denver has a lot of great neighborhood shopping districts, from chi-chi Cherry Creek North to indy outposts like the Highlands, Old South Gaylord and South Pearl Street.

Saturday is the ideal time to shop these areas, as it’s Buy Local Week through Dec. 2, a time to support independent and neighborhood retailers.

Supporters say Coloradans will spend $12.7 billon during the holidays and that the benefit of keeping it local is money spent here will recirculate at least three more times in the community. Get details, and a guide to what to find in 15 shopping districts throughout the area, by clicking on “Local Flavor Guides” at coloradolocalfirst.com/buylocalweek.

American Express credit-card holders who register in advance and then spend a minimum of $25 at participating businesses on Saturday will get a one-time $25 statement credit on their accounts. After registering at sync.americanexpress.com/sbs2011, cardholders can enter a ZIP code and find a list of participating merchants, including restaurants and service businesses. Small Business Saturday’s Facebook page also has an interactive feature where shoppers can enter a ZIP code to find merchants.

Here are some offers to take advantage of from Larimer Square merchants:
Denim One: Buy one item at full price and receive 40% off second item
Moda: 25% off everything in store all weekend
Posh: 20% off purchase and all special orders with mention of Small Business Saturday
John Atencio: the first 50 people will receive $200 off merchandise through the weekend.
Arabella: 25% off second item of equal or lesser value on 26th
Eve: 30% off anything black! (black hangers count too!)
Roxy: 20% off sweater of your choice
Nicolette: Buy one item, get 30% off second item (plus free gift with every purchase)
La Fame: 25% off everything in store
Blush: Buy one item get 50% off 2nd item
Apricot Lane: 30% off of everyting in the store

Buy Local Week ends with a party, concert and benefit auction at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Swallow Hill Music, 71 E Yale Ave. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door at events.swallowhill.com.

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